That's true of Rhiannon Giddens who covers it on her THERE IS NO OTHER album which finds her collaborating with Francesco Turrisi. Her version is more of a gallop with Arabic accents.
Mid-Eastern accents also bring life to the title track which is an instrumental with a driving beat. When the Carolina Chocolate Drops member does sing, on "Brown Baby" or "Little Margret," for example, she brings notes -- in both range and delivery -- that call to mind Buffy Sainte Marie.
Little Margaret, sitting in her high hall chair
Combing back her long, yellow hair,
Saw sweet William and his new-made bride.
Riding up the road so near.
She threw down her ivory comb
Threw back her long blond hair
Said I'll go down and I'll bid him farewell
And I'll never more go there
It's a haunting version and completely different from the 2007 version she did on the Carolina Chocolate Drops' DONA GOT A RAMBLIN' MIND. It's faster, the drums are pounding and she's singing on the beat. You could hear the two versions one after another and wonder if the same vocalist was singing both? She's singing such strikingly different arrangements that it would be normal to wonder.
"Trees On The Mountain" features some of her higher notes and may be the most gorgeous track on THERE IS NO OTHER -- not that the other eleven are slouchers. "He Will See Through You" is amazing with her vocals and the instrumental backing.
When your path is full of worry
He will see you through
When your feel alone on your journey
He will see you through
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ahmen
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ahmen
Amen
Amen
When you think the world's gone crazy
He will see you through
When it looks like the end of daisy
Surely see you through
All your silver, all your gold
Won't shine brighter than your soul
Here's Rhiannon performing the song live.
Again, it's a gorgeous track. And track for track, THERE IS NO OTHER is a gorgeous album. The album's released this Friday, make a point to check it out.
